Yes, y’all read that title correctly, everything in this new haul was FREE!
Amazing friends, thanks to some awesome neighbors, family, and unsuspecting folks as well, I was able to gather an entirely new group of goodies that cost me nothing! Is there anything better??
Here’s what I got:
There’s some real lookers in there, eh?
Oh I forgot to thank myself as well, as I contributed two pieces I already had to this stash too ha ha!
Where to begin??
Let’s start with this gorgeous caned chair:
Isn’t she a beauty?
My mother-in-law gave me this piece. I believe my father-in-law went to stand on it and put his foot right through it! This will be fun to bring back to life!
She also offered me this bench she had in her garage:
It’s very utilitarian and I probably would have passed on it at the thrift store (I just prefer a few curves.) but I think I can definitely do something with it!
Up next is this basket that I actually didn’t score at all…
It’s my mom’s and she just wanted me to make it pretty for her, so I threw it in with this haul…still free, Right?
Next up is this gorgeous desk that belonged to one of our lovely neighbors from our old neighborhood:
I had just finished one very similar to it HERE when she messaged me asking if I was interested. Yes, please!
Next up are these two baskets:
I grouped them together because I’ll probably share them together. The darker of the two used to live in our old pantry holding onions and potatoes. (If you missed our big pantry redo you can see that HERE.)
The lighter one was a yard sale freebee. I happened upon a yard sale late one day this Summer and i was told to take anything I wanted. Okay!
These next few pieces were curbside finds. (That’s those unsuspecting folks I mentioned at the beginning who had no idea I was raiding their trash.)
Up first is this very sad table:
Clearly a good candidate for the trash, but I am confident that it will live again!
Next is this set of lamps:
I barely saw them poking out of the top of a box! They have a terrible paint job at the moment, but they will be beautiful! I haven’t tested them, so I hope they work!
And there is what’s left of this mirror:
I have been hanging onto this one for years!
This next piece is one I bought and redid like eight or nine years ago…
I no longer like the redo of it though and decided it needs an update, so in the pile it went.
Remember this piece?
It’s the top half of this secretary that I redid for my sister’s mother-in-law. We didn’t use it in the redo, so I’m hoping to be able to repurpose it in some way!
Next up is this mirror frame that came with this dresser that belonged to my hubby’s grandma:
I painted it to match the dresser, but thought it was very underwhelming for the curves of the dresser, so I sold the dresser without it. This has just been sitting since.
And you may remember this mirror…I will definitely need to summon all my creative mojo for this very plain mirror:
It was originally part of this swivel mirror that I chopped up to create two gorgeous shelves out of which you can see HERE.
It originally came with this dresser, but it was way too heavy for it AND when I was buying the dresser, I didn’t even realize there was a mirror behind it that came with it! Bonus!!
I figured I can call this mirror free for that reason, and for the fact that I’ve already sold all three pieces I got out of that one purchase!
This next piece is one of three pieces I got from one of our neighbors whom I adore:
She called me one night over the Summer to ask if I wanted first dibs because they were headed for the curb! I think we were mid-dinner when I grabbed Jack and flew on down to grab them lol!
(I saved the other two for last because I love them the most!)
My neighbor was also purging this French provincial beauty:
French Provincial anything is always a favorite!
And she had the matching tall dresser!
They look pretty good, right?? She actually didn’t do a bad job with them, and I really love the white paint/dark stain combo, but they’ve been nicked and scuffed over time and I think she used semi gloss paint on them, so I’m hoping to give them a whole new look!
SO that’s my new FREE haul!
Fun, right?? I had to pick one for Trash-to-Treasure Tuesday next week, and most of them would make excellent candidates lol!
I settled on this one though:
I’ll be back sharing what I did with it on Tuesday!
UPDATE: No need to wait woohoo! See how it turned out here now!
Have an amazing weekend, friends!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Rose Lefebvre says
Looking forward to them all!
Christy says
Yay! Me too! XOXO
Gloria Stage says
Looking forward to seeing what you do with the whole lot. I especially like the can chair. Good bones, good curves.
Christy says
Thank you, Gloria! I started on the chair today…she is a beauty! XOXO
Marietta Walker says
OK your neighbors, family, and friends spoil you; a lot! Isn’t it wonderful? I am excited because we are putting down a nice little foundation for my new Workshop this spring. I am so excited, I can hardly wait and I can get all my rojects and paint into the workshop and out of my overflowing house! YAY! So I guess I am spoiled too. I don’t know about you, but I like it. LOL
I am looking forward to to see all your projects this coming year. I icked up a lot of goodies last week also and I will be off sometime this week to pick up some more. I am having so much fun painting and decoupaging, and all that goes with it and I could not be turning out these beauties if it were not for you and all the other kind and sharing DIYer’s. I hope all your days a happy and bright, because you and the others all deserve it.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Marietta! I love that you are having so much fun creating!! Isn’t it wonderful to have that outlet?? And how wonderful that you will have a dedicated workshop!! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
Wow, I LOVE free! You have some work to do on this group, I know you can do it though because your simply THE BEST! It will be so fun to watch you tackle this haul!
Christy says
Ha ha FREE is the best for sure!! But yes, that means that I’ve got a load of misfits to work with lol! Thank you so much, my friend!! XOXO
Denise Cox says
Can’t wait!! Really looking forward to the French Provenchial!! I always look forward to the bureau redos… 😊
Christy says
I am so excited about those pieces too! I’ve been looking at them every day trying to get through my last haul so I could finally play with them!! XOXO
Christina says
Super duper free haul! It is fun to see your creativity fly free. I love that you are reinventing a basket for your mother. Sweet of the neighbors to give you first dibs on those pieces! Create on!! Have a fun weekend.
Christy says
Thank you, Christina!! Yes, I love when people think of me when they’re purging lol! XOXO
Janice Holt says
Free is good. I know you will be able to put your magic touch on all of them. Looking forward to seeing what you do. Have a great week-end.
Christy says
Yes, it is! Thank you, my friend! Enjoy your weekend too! XOXO
patty says
Wow, can’t wait to see what your imagination and artistry come up with next! I always enjoy receiving your emails and drooling over your projects. Thanks!
Christy says
Ha ha thank you, Patty! I’m so happy to hear you enjoy them!! XOXO
Fran says
Hi Christy, can’t wait to see how the French Provincial pieces turn out! If for some strange reason you replace the handles I would love to buy them from you. Anxiously awaiting the cane chair. Thanks for all you inspiration!
Christy says
Hi Fran! I’m a sucker for those handles too, so I will likely use them. I’m working on the chair today! XOXO
Cecilia from Georgia says
You have your work ahead of you! I love the cane chair and can’t wait to see how you bring life back into it. I was given a large chair with cane that had just been redone (thankfully!) and need some inspiration. The trend is bleached cane or whitewash but I’m not sure about that. Have fun with your chair! See ya Tuesday! XOXO
Christy says
I really do ha ha…this is a motley crew if I ever saw one! I’m working on the chair today, so we’ll see what I come up with! XOXO
patty says
Hi Christy, I’m an upholsterer but I draw the line at recaning, I have to send it out! Looking forward to seeing your finished chair, I know you are gonna do great things with it!
Christy says
Thank you, Patty! I draw the line at caning too lol…I have a different plan for this one! XOXO
Karin says
Can’t wait to see the re-dos! Especially the chair!
Christy says
This will be a fun group to bring back to life for sure! Working on the chair today! XOXO
Toby says
EEEKKK! I can’t wait to see what you do! And that chair oh my goodness…I look at it and see TONS of potential!! I wish you sent these out every day…I always look forward to them!
In this fresh season of Thankfulness, I am thankful for awesome creative people like you! Have a great day and week Christy!
Christy says
Aww you are the sweetest, Toby! Thank you! I appreciate your kind words so much, my friend! XOXO
Cara says
You have quite the haul here, and I am so looking forward to each makeover. You always have the best pieces! I wish I were spoiled and had items I could practice on. I just do not feel comfortable enough to make over a piece of furniture.
Christy says
Yes, this will be a fun bunch and there are plenty of practice pieces here! I still drive around every so often on trash day in search of curbside finds…maybe you could too? You can totally do this!! XOXO
Diane says
All I can say is – Wow! What an awesome free haul!
Christy says
Right?? I am so excited to get started!! XOXO
Char says
My favourite is that chair! Love it! I can’t wait to see what you do with it. You’re so inspiring for me. Thanks!
Christy says
Aww thank you so much Char! That chair is amazing, and I started on it today, so we’ll see where it ends up! XOXO
Addie says
CHA….CHING!!! I can just imagine your eyes……”$ $”. LOVE that cane chair what a beauty. And why do people see cane and think they can step onto it? My brilliant son did the same!!!!
Welllll……get busy girlfriend!!!! Can’t wait to see!!!!
Have a great (already??!!!) weekend!!!
Christy says
Ha yes…all I see are dollar bills ha ha! And my husband did the same thing too!! Dummies lol. I’ve already started…can’t wait to see how this bunch ends up!! Have a fantastic weekend too!! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
Wowee wow, Christy, what a great group! That chair is my favorite of the haul and I can’t wait to see what you do.
Christy says
Thanks, Marcie! The chair is amazing!! XOXO
Robin says
Free, Free, Free, Free, Free, Free (music)
Yaaaayyyy!!!!!
If the lamps don’t work, remove the electrical and cap the top with some sort of saucer so they can become pillar candlesticks.
P.S. I just finished cleaning out an old home. Lots of furniture left. Sold some, donated most. If I had storage & a store I would’ve redone/sold the pieces. There was a full & twin head/foot board set left without a home. 🙁
Christy says
Good idea for the lamps! And no way…I wish I were closer…I would have taken that bed set! XOXO
Joanne H says
Oh, you are such a tease 😁 giving us a glimpse
of things to come.
The future looks exciting. Can’t wait to see all your creations.
Christy says
Ha ha!! It is to get y’all excited with me! 😀 XOXO
Edna says
Wow! You lucky girl. All that for free, can’t wait to see how you are going to use your magic on them. Everything you do is so impressive.
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Edna!! I’m looking forward to this group because I literally have nothing to lose lol! XOXO
Bev w says
Cant wait to see the progress!!
Christy says
Me too, Bev! This will be a fun haul! XOXO
Mary Loveland says
Wonderful new pile!
I am really having trouble opening your emails, don’t know why. I came in thru a backdoor and then hit the home button to find this posting.
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! Are the emails being delivered to your inbox properly? When I changed delivery companies for my emails, I changed the “from” to “Christy at Confessions of a Serial Diyer” instead of “Christy James”, but several readers said they stopped receiving my emails in their inboxes, including myself as I subscribe also to be sure everything shows up properly. I switched it back so it would show up as from “Christy James” and that fixed it for me as my email server then recognized it as legit, I guess. If you still have trouble on Tuesday, let me know, and I will look into it further! XOXO
Matilda says
Christy, I think you have used silk paint and of course the Dixie Bell chalk paint on your furniture. Can you tell me what the difference between the two, and does it matter which product to use depending on the type of furniture or the look of the finished product. Thanks.
Christy says
Hi Matilda! I break down the main differences between the two here: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/how-to-use-silk-all-in-one-mineral-paint-whats-the-difference/ I hope this helps! XOXO
Denise says
Christy I have signed up twice to receive your newsletter and still I don’t receive it. I never had a problem before
Thank You
Denise
Christy says
Hi Denise! I’m so sorry you’re not seeing my posts in your inbox. I looked it up and it says my posts have been delivered. Do you have a promotions tab or spam folder that they could be going to? If you add my email address (christykjames@cox.net) to your contacts, it should send them to your main inbox. I hope this helps!! XOXO
Dawn says
New follower here…
How long do these updates take you? Hours? Days? Weeks?
Love them all!
Christy says
Hi Dawn and welcome!! I usually spend anywhere from two to four days on a project, but I always have more than one project going at at a time. While one is drying, I can work on another. I post new makeovers every Tuesday and Thursday and that helps me to get things done more quickly! XOXO
Michele M. says
Oooooohhhhh isn’t this going to be awesome? I can’t wait to see the design miracles you will be doing on these awesome pieces!!!! Whoo hoo!
Christy says
Fun that it was all free, right?? I was literally driving around my neighborhood on trash day looking to see if I could find anything else to add to the pile ha ha! XOXO
Cory says
I can’t wait to see what you do!! It’s always fantastic!
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Cory! XOXO